Common Jazz Chord Progressions

Published: 09 Jul 2013 Updated: 09 Jul 2013Visits: 61Code: UL135c

INSTRUMENTS: Chords Main: Music Others:
Subjects: Chords • Intermediate • Advanced • Repertoire • Progressions

Common Jazz Chord Progressions


Common Jazz Chord Progressions - there's a lot more common between songs than you might think. This lessons show some common progressions and the jazz standards that use them.

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II V I and unresolved II V

Too numerous to actually list songs with this progression. The V to I, Dominant to Tonic chord movement IS the most common progression in western music. Occurs either major or minor. Examples: Dm7 G7 Cmaj7 (Major), Dm7b5 G7 Cm7 (Minor)

A great song to show a lot of II V movements is

I VI II V

Backdoor Changes

Road Map: I ↑P4 ur(II V) kc I

Based on the minor third substitution principle, a bVII7 is a substitute for a V chord. The II (IVm7 or IVm6) of the bVII is typical A quasi II V Used to return to the key center after a IV chord. Can also be used unresolved.

Returning to a I after a IV chord

Sub for V or II V

  • Darn That Dream
  • Days of Wine and Roses
  • Embraceable You
  • Four
  • Groovin' High
  • On Green Dolphin Street
  • Over the Rainbow
  • Shadow of Your Smile (The)
  • Stardust
  • Summer Samba
  • Tenderly
  • When Sunny Gets Blue

Unresolved

I II7 II V

Road Map: I ↑ M2 7th prime II V I
V of II Secondary Dominant

Descending Whole Step Modulations

Road Map: II V I prime' II V I prime' II V ...

  • Afternoon in Paris
  • Alone Together
  • Bluesette
  • Call Me
  • Cherokee (bridge)
  • How High The Moon
  • Invitation (bridge)
  • Once I Loved
  • One Note Samba (bridge)
  • Recorda-Me
  • Solar
  • Tune Up
  • Watch What Happens (bridge)
  • Wave
  • What Is This Thing Called Love

I I7 IV, I (II V of IV) IV, cadence to IV

Road Map: I ↑ P5 II V I - V of IV Secondary Dominant

  • I Got Ryhthm
  • Misty
  • Scrapple the Apple
  • Stompin' At The Savoy
  • Sweet Georgia Brown
  • The Flintstones Theme

Satin Doll Bridge

Road Map: ↑ P5 II V I ↑ M3 ur(II V) turnnback to key center

Wave Bridge

Road Map: ↑ P5 II V I prime' II V I turnnback to key center

  • Love Man
  • One Note Samba
  • Tune Up
  • Wave

Piardy Third

Road Map: IIm7b5 V minor II V resolving to a major I

Rhythm Changes

Road Map: I ↑ P5 II V I

  • Oleo
  • Scrapple the Apple
  • I Got Ryhthm
  • Stompin' At The Savoy
  • Sweet Georgia Brown
  • The Flintstones Theme

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